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Effects of social isolation on quality of life in elderly adults

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  • Roger D Newman-Norlund
  • Sarah E Newman-Norlund
  • Sara Sayers
  • Alexander C McLain
  • Nicholas Riccardi
  • Julius Fridriksson

Abstract

Prolonged periods of social isolation are known to have significant negative health consequences and reduce quality of life, an effect that is particularly pronounced in older populations. Despite the known deleterious effects of social isolation, a key component of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been the issuance of stay at home and/or shelter in place orders. Relatively little is known about the potential effects these periods of social isolation could have on older adults, and less still is known about potential risk factors or protective factors that modulate these effects. Here, we describe results from a longitudinal study in which we measured quality of life both prior to and immediately following a one-month period of social isolation associated with the issuance and revocation of a shelter in place order (April 6, 2020 through May 4, 2020) in the state of South Carolina. Healthy adult participants (N = 62) between the ages of 60 and 80 who had already completed quality of life questionnaires prior to isolation again completed the questionnaires following a one-month order to shelter in place. Quality of life significantly decreased during the social isolation period, with older participants showing the greatest declines. Participants with higher levels of physical activity and better physical/mental health going into the isolation period tended to show greater decreases in quality of life over time. These results highlight the negative consequences of even short bouts of social isolation for the elderly and suggest that reductions in social contact related to COVID-19 may have significant effects on mental health and emotional well-being, at least among older individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger D Newman-Norlund & Sarah E Newman-Norlund & Sara Sayers & Alexander C McLain & Nicholas Riccardi & Julius Fridriksson, 2022. "Effects of social isolation on quality of life in elderly adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(11), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0276590
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pantell, M. & Rehkopf, D. & Jutte, D. & Syme, S.L. & Balmes, J. & Adler, N., 2013. "Social isolation: A predictor of mortality comparable to traditional clinical risk factors," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(11), pages 2056-2062.
    2. Yingfei Zhang & Zheng Feei Ma, 2020. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life among Local Residents in Liaoning Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Simone Weyers & Nico Dragano & Susanne Möbus & Eva-Maria Beck & Andreas Stang & Stephan Möhlenkamp & Karl Jöckel & Raimund Erbel & Johannes Siegrist, 2010. "Poor social relations and adverse health behaviour: stronger associations in low socioeconomic groups?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(1), pages 17-23, February.
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